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Prepositions after adjectives

falling of, in, out, into, or off

Falling commonly appears with into, off, or in depending on movement or change. Falling of is mainly a noun phrase, not a standard adjective pattern.

Quick answer

How is falling used with prepositions?

Use falling into for entering a state or place, falling off for movement away from a surface or for decline, and falling in or falling out for joining or separating. Falling of is usually part of a noun phrase such as a falling off in sales.

She is falling into bad habits.
The picture is falling off the wall.
The soldiers were falling in behind the captain.
The brothers are falling out again.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
falling into + state/place

Entering a condition or area

Use into for movement toward a new state or place.

He kept falling into debt.
Leaves were falling into the river.
2
falling off + surface/amount

Moving away or declining

Off describes separation from a surface or a decrease.

Snow was falling off the roof.
Sales are falling off this month.
3
falling in

Joining or collapsing inward

Falling in can describe joining a line or something collapsing inward.

The troops were falling in quickly.
4
falling out

Arguing or separating

Falling out means losing a friendly relationship.

They are falling out over money.
5
falling of + noun

Using the noun phrase falling off

Falling of is uncommon in modern English. The noun phrase falling off is usually preferred for decline.

There has been a falling off in demand.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
falling into
She is falling into despair.
moving into a state or condition
falling off
Attendance is falling off.
declining or dropping away
falling in
The walls are falling in.
collapsing inward
falling out
The friends are falling out.
quarrelling or separating
falling of
A falling off in profits was reported.
falling of is rare; falling off is standard for decline

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using falling of for decline

Modern English usually prefers falling off.

✕ There was a falling of in sales. ✓ There was a falling off in sales.

Confusing falling into and falling in

Into suggests movement toward a new state or place.

✕ He is falling in depression. ✓ He is falling into depression.

Using falling off for arguments

Falling out is used for damaged relationships.

✕ The partners are falling off. ✓ The partners are falling out.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The child nearly went ___ the stairs.
2. She is falling ___ old habits.
3. The two colleagues are falling ___.

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Frequently asked questions

Is falling of correct?

It is rare in modern English. Falling off is the usual expression for decline.

What does falling out mean?

It means beginning to argue or losing a friendly relationship.

Can falling in mean joining a group?

Yes. In military or organised contexts, falling in can mean forming a line or joining a group.

face-to-face-with-in-at-for, to "fair to" or "fair in"? faithful to, in, of, with or for? "false in" or "false to"? famed for, as, in or throughout? familiar with, to, from or in? famous for, in, of, by or as? fanatical about, in, as, for or of? "fantastic for" or "fantastic in"? far from, in, to, for or with? fascinating to, about, in, for or as? "fashionable in" or "fashionable for"?

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